Luis Aragones With Euro 2008 Trophy

Luis Aragones who led Spain to euro 2008 victory has passed away in February 1st in Madrid,here we pay tribute to this man finest hour.

Euro 2008: Spain are fitting winners of a thrilling tournament

With Captain Casillas holding the 2008 euro trophy

For so long they've been the team you curse because you had a crafty flutter before they faltered, now Spain are finally champions. What's more, they did it their way. Their frustration at their successive failures never led them to lose faith in themselves, to abandon the way they want to play. They have always prized technical excellence and imaginative expression above all else, advocated fantasy above pragmatism. They always knew they were right. And now they may bask in beautiful vindication. Spain have shown that high-tempo virility is still a powerful force - but it's just the starting point, the real trick is to build on it with precise technique and inspired creativity. Xavi's wonderful pass to Fernando Torres, and Torres's clever, tenacious run and exquisite finish encapsulated everything that makes Spain worthy kings of the continent.

Spain are no machine, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Fábregas and Sergio Ramos no mere cogs. They are a vibrant organism, each element exuding adventure and intelligence. Their movement, speed and offensive intent make them devastating.

Their conviction did waver temporarily tonight as glory twinkled tantalisingly; Germany, ever defiant, cranked up the pressure in the last 30 minutes and Luis Aragonés withdrew Fábregas and David Silva for magically more conservative players. Yet still Ramos, Andrés Iniesta and Marcos Senna came closer to scoring in that period than Germany. And unlike Germany - and the other great performers at these championships, Turkey, Russia, Holland and Portugal - Spain defended immaculately.

Spain exemplified all that made this tournament delightful. In addition to the inventors already mentioned, they have a holding midfielder who does so much more than hold: the Makelele role is old hat, rendered obsolete by Marcos Senna.

Aragones lifted by spanish players after winning the euros 2008 final

The delightfulness of Euro 2008 has been capped by its profound justice. Adroit and artistic Spain have triumphed in a tournament where their squad had the depth of talent to outdo all others. Those who mused that Luis Aragonés's side might lack in forwards while the tournament's top scorer, David Villa, was injured received their answer. Liverpool's Fernando Torres took the only goal with a mixture of anticipation, pace and delicacy of finish.

Germany were as intrepid as is to be expected of a nation in pursuit of a seventh major prize. Nonetheless, Michael Ballack, who had recovered from a calf strain, was the key person in a line-up that had to depend on its doggedness. Strong-minded as Spain have also been in winning all six of their matches here, technical excellence is the true basis of their domination.

Aragonés carries some notoriety but he has taught Spain to count on their talent. The inability to win a trophy since taking this same competition in Madrid in 1964 has been all the more galling because footballers of lavish gifts have been among those who floundered. At Euro 2008, by contrast, Spain never permitted their opponents to assume the lead in any game.

Torres scoring the winning goal

In the 33rd minute Xavi eased a through-ball which Philipp Lahm was well placed to deal with, but the swift Torres first moved outside the left-back and then inside him to flip a finish meticulously over the advancing Jens Lehmann and into the far corner of the net. "Lahm was in a better position but for a moment he relaxed and I took advantage," said the scorer, who had hit the post with a header 10 minutes earlier.

That took Torres's tally for Euro 2008 to a modest two goals but this contribution was priceless. Aragonés had never lost sight of the challenge he poses to a back four and the liberty that opens up for team-mates accordingly.

The Spaniards were not close to finished with their celebration that was so long in the making. They marched to their rooting section, hoisting the cup and saluting their flag-waving, firecracker-exploding fans.

“We have won in a brilliant way,” Coach Luis Aragonés said. “We will be able to start saying we can win, a European championship as well as any other thing.”

In beating a team that makes a habit of appearing in championship finals, the Spaniards put to rest a reputation for underachieving. Always loaded with talented players, Spain has spent four decades falling short of expectations.

That all changed here, where the Spaniards swept their first-round games, eliminated the World Cup champion Italy in a penalty-kick shootout in the quarterfinals, then routed Russia, 3-0, in the semifinals.